Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-purpose shower/tub filter unit are shown and described, the filter unit containing a chlorine-removal media and a scale-inhibiting media. The housing of the filter unit is adapted to attach universally to various water sources, such as a pipe or faucet and to a showerhead or hand-held spray unit. The filter unit preferably has an arm extending out from the main body of the filter unit, and the filter unit preferably extends upward and outward from the attachment point on the pipe or faucet. This way, a single filter unit may either be positioned a) substantially above a shower pipe to place the showerhead generally at a similar level as it would be without the filter unit in place, as in a United States shower configuration; or b) to fit under but extend out from a tub faucet, as in a European shower configuration. The filter unit has a replaceable cartridge that includes a carbon block and scale-deposit-inhibiting phosphate spheres contained in a space inside the carbon block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing activated clotting time tests, including their use for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of test cells. Each of the cells comprises a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a clotting reagent. At least one of the test cells further comprises a platelet activating agent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample. The method comprises the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a clotting reagent, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture.

Abstract: An method for performing activated clotting time tests, including a method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The method includes the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a sufficient amount of clotting reagent to achieve clotting, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelet activating agent is a reagent other than the clotting reagent. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture. The activated clotting time of the sample of blood is calculated based on the elapsed time. The activated clotting time test may be performed using a plunger sensor apparatus which comprises a plurality of test cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalytic antibodies and a method for producing the same wherein a host is immunized using an "antigen chelate" or more specifically a stable compound capable of chelating metal ions. The immune response mounted in response to the antigen chelate produces antibodies that are capable of binding both a substrate and a metal ion, thus achieving a metal cofactor assisted reaction.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The apparatus includes a plurality of test cells. Each of the cells includes a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, and a clotting reagent. At least one of the cells also includes a platelet activating agent. The clotting time is determined for each of the aliquot portions, and the relative clotting times of the aliquot portions in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the sample. The method includes the steps of combining a platelet function restoration agent, an anticoagulant agent, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelets of the sample are activated by adding a clotting reagent to the test mixture at the start of the activated clotting time test, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture.

Abstract: A reporter system relating to in vivo expression technology was devised to aid in the identification and study of genes that display temporal or spatial patterns of expression during infection of host tissues. The method of this invention comprises constructing a strain or pool of strains of a microorganism which contains an artificial cointegrate comprising a reporter gene flanked by direct repeats of sequences to which a resolvase enzyme binds, thus catalyzing excision of the reporter gene, and further contains a coding sequence under the control of a promoter sequence which encodes transcripts, the expression of which are easily monitored in vitro and which result in a permanent genetic change, excision of the reporter gene, that is heritable and easily detectable subsequent to induction of the synthetic operon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high strength proppant having a specific gravity of less than 1.3 that can be used in hydraulic fracturing operations of oil and gas wells.

Abstract: A reporter system relating to in vivo expression technology was devised to aid in the identification and study of genes that display temporal or spatial patterns of expression during infection of host tissues. The method of this invention comprises integrating a site-specific DNA recombinase expression vector, and a reporter gene that is permanently removable by the recombinase, by way of homologous recombination into a microorganism's chromosome and inducing the expression of a synthetic operon which encodes transcripts, the expression of which are easily monitored in vitro and which result in a permanent genetic change, excision of the reporter gene, that is heritable and easily detectable subsequent to induction of the synthetic operon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting purified, partially purified or crude taxane mixtures into a protected precursor of 10-deacetylbaccatin III and into 10-deacetylbaccatin III. The process comprises three steps, the first of which includes contacting a mixture containing at least one naturally occurring taxane compound having the structure (II) ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is phenyl, ##STR2## [an ester linkage at the C-13 position] with at least one hydroxy protecting group. The second step involves cleaving the ester linkage of the protected taxane thus giving rise to a protected precursor of 10-deacetylbaccatin III, the deprotection of which leads to 10-deacetylbaccatin III.

Abstract: A genetic system termed in vivo expression technology was devised that positively selects for microbial genes that are specifically induced when microbes infect their host. The method of this invention comprises complementing the growth of an auxotrophic or antibiotic sensitive microorganism by integrating an expression vector by way of homologous recombination into the auxotrophic or antibiotic sensitive microorganism's chromosome and inducing the expression of a synthetic operon which encodes transcripts, the expression of which are easily monitored both in vitro and in vivo.